It is good for a leader to have a cordial working relationship with every world leader. Such relationships can lead to predictability, a more harmonious atmosphere and, hopefully, civil discourse; maybe even winning an ally. Since the six day war in 1967, Israel has been our only strategic ally in the Middle East and ourContinue reading “On Trump and the Middle East”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
On Gender Issues
When God created this world (or, if you prefer, when things evolved), there was a clear difference in the physical makeup of man and woman. This was not an accident; it was deliberate and purposeful. Men for the most part are bigger and stronger. They were intended to do the heavy lifting for the family. WomenContinue reading “On Gender Issues”
On the Day After in the Middle East
The war in Gaza that has raged now for over a year has broad regional implications far beyond Gaza. After the tragedies of October 7th, no one can argue that the defeat of Hamas was not justified. However its defeat does not in itself resolve the long standing issues in the region. As should beContinue reading “On the Day After in the Middle East”
On Israeli/Palestinian Peace
So what could be the elements of a workable, durable Israeli-Palestinian peace plan? Achievement of that objective has bedeviled the world for way too long. It’s high time that world leaders bite the bullet and, if necessary, impose a solution, just as the UN imposed the partition of Palestine in 1947 that created this wholeContinue reading “On Israeli/Palestinian Peace”
On the West Bank
While the world is focussed on the Gaza war, too little attention is afforded events unfolding in the West Bank. There is a very clear and determined movement to further intimidate Palestinians “to find other more accommodating countries to live in.” Settlers, with Israeli government tacit approval, are widening their illegal settlement footprints, encroaching furtherContinue reading “On the West Bank”
On the Future of Israel and the U.S. in the Middle east
The 10+ months since Oct 7th has unveiled a nasty surprise for Israel and the U.S. Hamas which presides over a hapless Palestinian population of around 2 million people, in an enclave of 140 square miles, has shocked us all with its show of military planning, power and tenacity. How a junta, subject to theContinue reading “On the Future of Israel and the U.S. in the Middle east”
On the Israeli Relationship
In June 1967, in response to growing threats by its Arab neighbors, Israel engaged in a preemptive war against Egypt, Syria and Jordan. In 6 days it pretty much decimated their combined military capability. It was at that time that the U.S. began to see Israel as a strategic asset in the volatile Middle East.Continue reading “On the Israeli Relationship”
On Assassinations
At the end of July, Israel took out two notably bad guys. Ismail Haniyeh, a Palestinian political leader from Gaza and Fuad Sukr, a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. Just two of the hundreds of their targeted killings since 1967. While few would lament the loss of two ‘terrorists’, one must question the strategic gain fromContinue reading “On Assassinations”
On Netanyahu
Once again the prime minister of Israel was invited to address the joint houses of congress, an honor afforded few foreign leaders. And once again he has asked for more and more support to pursue causes to which we somehow seem implicated but which we have not caused, on which have not been consulted andContinue reading “On Netanyahu”
On Gun Control
The Surgeon General recently declared gun violence a public health crisis. And that it is. For too long we have allowed this outrage to persist under the guise that any action would be a violation of our 237-year-old constitution. I doubt that our founding fathers intended that changed circumstances should forever be ignored. That’s why they providedContinue reading “On Gun Control”
Views of a Common Man 